What should be paid attention to when changing lanes?
3 Answers
Precautions for changing lanes are as follows: 1. When changing lanes, avoid abruptly turning into the adjacent lane to prevent collisions with suddenly appearing vehicles or side-slipping caused by slippery road surfaces. 2. Yield to obstacles when changing lanes, leave sufficient safety distance ahead, and change lanes appropriately in advance; if there is an oncoming vehicle in the adjacent lane that temporarily prevents a lane change, you must brake and stop. 3. Do not change lanes too slowly, as driving for a long distance while straddling the lane line will affect other vehicles. Generally, after overtaking, leave a safe distance from the overtaken vehicle before returning to the original lane.
Changing lanes always feels like a delicate task to me. After driving for so many years, the top priority is checking the rearview mirror to understand the situation behind—never rush to turn the steering wheel. Then, immediately activate the turn signal to send a clear message to other drivers, giving them time to slow down or yield. Pay special attention to blind spots—areas not visible in the mirrors—as many accidents stem from there. I always glance through the side window for a final check to ensure no vehicles are present. Extra caution is needed when road conditions change, such as on highways where speeds are high—make sure there's enough space before switching lanes and avoid squeezing into tight gaps. In heavy traffic, anticipate movements ahead and watch out for sudden appearances of motorcycles or e-bikes. I believe developing good habits reduces risks—safety always comes first on the road.
When I first started learning to drive, changing lanes really made me flustered. Later, I realized the rules are simple: first turn on the indicator to signal, don't just turn without warning; then check the rearview mirror and blind spots more often—I almost caused trouble a few times by not checking the blind spots. In the city with heavy traffic, be patient and wait for a big enough gap before moving, don't rush. Also, pay attention to traffic lights and intersection conditions, for example, changing lanes on curves is more dangerous, so slow down when visibility is limited. Maintaining a safe distance is fundamental, leaving at least a bit more room than your speed. In short, changing lanes is a learning and adapting process, and with more practice, beginners will get the hang of it.
